Group Project #1: August Wilson’s Fences
Directions: In groups of 4, analyze the specific aspects of the
play using your textbook, annotations, and summer Lit.
Analyses (You might have to bring an extra copy since I might
still be grading yours.). Use quotes/passages and commentary
to support your analysis. Consult
http://www.shmoop.com/fences-august-wilson/themes.html
to answer the questions listed for your specific theme. Feel free
to use some of the quotes on theme found on the site, but you
must have your own quotes and analysis as well. For the
function of the character and character analysis along with
setting, consult the “thinking on paper” questions for help.
Each group member must choose an essay topic from the back
(4 members means 4 different topics: 02, 03, 05, 10) and create
an outline with 3 students from other groups=8 new groups
and 2 outlines for each topic.
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Group 1: Race and Racism, Setting-historic and dramatic (see introduction
too).
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Group 2: Men and Masculinity, Character analysis: Cory and Lyons (foil to
Troy? Conflicts with Troy?)
Group 3: Mortality and Death, Biblical and Supernatural Allusions, Character
analysis: Gabriel,
Group 4: Dreams, Hopes, Plans, and Opportunities, Metaphors of money,
baseball, gardening, the blues, etc. Find the references and explain what they
mean and how they function in the play.
Group 5: Family and Friendship, Character analysis: Rose,
Group 6: Duty and Responsibility, Character analysis: Troy,
Group 7: Dissatisfaction and Limitations, Explain the Title-How many “fences”
are in the play and what do they represent? Start with the literal fence in the yard
and explain what it means to the characters. Any other fences literal or symbolic?
Explain.
Group 8: Betrayal and Hypocrisy, Character analysis: Bono and Alberta (what
does each reveal about Troy? Why does the relationship with Bono change? Why
doesn’t Alberta appear in the play?)
2002. Morally ambiguous characters -- characters whose behavior discourages
readers from identifying them as purely evil or purely good -- are at the heart of
many works of literature. Choose a novel or play in which a morally ambiguous
character plays a pivotal role. Then write an essay in which you explain how the
character can be viewed as morally ambiguous and why his or her moral
ambiguity is significant to the work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary.
2003, Form B. Novels and plays often depict characters caught between
colliding cultures -- national, regional, ethnic, religious, institutional. Such
collisions can call a character’s sense of identity into question. Select a novel or
play in which a character responds to such a cultural collision. Then write a wellorganized essay in which you describe the character’s response and explain its
relevance to the work as a whole.
2005, Form B. One of the strongest human drives seems to be a desire for
power. Write an essay in which you discuss how a character in a novel or a
drama struggles to free himself or herself from the power of others or seeks to
gain power over others. Be sure to demonstrate in your essay how the author
uses this power struggle to enhance the meaning of the work.
2010, Form B. “You can leave home all you want but home will never leave you.”
-- Sonsyrea Tate
Sonsyrea Tate’s statement suggests that “home” may be conceived of as a
dwelling, a place, or a state of mind. It may have positive or negative
associations, but in either case, it may have a considerable influence on an
individual. Choose a novel or play in which a central character leaves home, yet
finds that home remains significant. Write a well-developed essay in which you
analyze the importance of “home” to this character and the reasons for its
continuing influence. Explain how the character’s idea of home illuminates the
larger meaning of the work. Do not merely summarize the plot.